Fatal Occupational Injuries Fell in California in 2014, Latest Report Shows

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The number of Californians who died on the job fell in 2014, according to the latest data available from the California Department of Industrial Relations.

The DIR compiled the data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and reported it on Thursday. A review of the past 10 years indicates that workplace fatalities remain below the average rate of fatalities prior to 2008, when the last recession began, according to the DIR.

There were 344 fatal injuries on the job in California in 2014, compared with 396 in 2013 and 375 in 2012.

Findings from the latest Census in California show:

More than one third of all California workplace deaths identified in 2014 occurred in transportation incidents;
One-in-five of all California workplace deaths identified in 2014 were attributed to violent acts;
One-in-five of all California workplace deaths identified in 2014 were attributed to trips, slips and falls;
Fatal workplace injuries among Latino workers in 2014 fell to 130 (38 percent of all worker deaths) from 194 (49 percent) in 2013, and 137 (37 percent) in 2012.

Source: Department of Industrial Relations

The preliminary data was posted September 2015. Changes to the final data result from the identification of new cases and the revision of existing cases based on source documents received after the release of preliminary results, according to the DIR.

The Census is conducted annually by DIR in conjunction with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“Every work-related fatality is a tragic reminder that worker deaths are preventable,” DIR Director Christine Baker said in a statement. “Safe and healthy working conditions and dedication to preventing workplace injuries and illnesses can save workers’ lives.”

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Topics California Trends

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